Before you go out on your bike, check it for mechanical problems. Underinflated tires, faulty brakes, and tangled chains are all things that can make you fall or even run into a car or another bicyclist. Make sure you know the traffic laws and how bicycling relates to them. Mostly, you’ll just be following regular traffic laws, so always signal before turning, stop at stop signs, and stay in the far right lane.

The key to being a safe bicyclist is being predictable, and following traffic laws is part of that. It’s also about making what you intend to do next obvious to the people around you with hand signals and looks.